Peterborough craft fair has male shoppers in mind

Keeping It Simple Soap, handmade by Kathy Bosk of Peterborough, is to be sold at the Men's Night Out Craft Fair this Thursday in Peterborough, along with a variety of other holiday gift items ideal for women. (MEGHAN PIERCE/Union Leader Correspondent)

PETERBOROUGH - A "Men's Night Out" Craft Fair will take place at the Peterborough Community Center on Elm Street Thursday night from 5 to 8 p.m.

"It's designed to provide one-stop-shopping for men," said organizer Kathy Bosk of Peterborough. "You know how men are: They always wait for the last minute and they like to go to one store."

Bosk, who plans to sell her K.I.S.S. - Keeping It Simple Soap - handmade soap and lip balm at the event, said it is also a fundraiser for the Peterborough Food Pantry that operates out of the community center.

"There is a small entrance fee, which is $2 or a nonperishable food item donated for the Peterborough Food Pantry," she said.

When Bosk had the idea to hold a Men's Night Out Craft Fair in the new community center, which many people still refer to as the old National Guard Armory building, she also wanted to help support the town food pantry.

"The news is always talking about how far behind they are. There are so many more people in need. If they can get a little more food in, it can help," she said.

Bosk said the event provides men with one-stop holiday shopping with local artisans and craftspeople.

Men shopping for their mothers, wives or daughters should be able to find something for the women in their lives, Bosk said. "I'm sure they are going to be able to find something for everybody on their list."

"What we're doing is supposed to be a for men's night only for men to go shopping. But if women show up, we're not going to turn them away," she added.

Along with the vendors, members of the ConVal High School girl's volley ball team will have a gift-wrapping table. The team is accepting donations for the wrapping service.

"I think men are going to be very happy. They don't even have to wrap. They come in and buy what they need and the ConVal Girls Volley Ball Girls' Team is going to be right at the door so as they are walking out they can say, 'Wrap this up please,'" she said.

Bosk said she planned the craft fair late in the shopping season with men's shopping habits in mind.

"We made it as late as we could before Christmas cause men tend to wait till the last minute," she said.

Bosk said she hopes the Men's Night Out Craft Fair will be a hit and it can become an annual holiday event.